American Cheese
A fan fiction by Kate-chan 91
Disclaimer: Wallace and Gromit were created by Nick Park, not me. This fanwork and several characters (such as Garret Bancroft), however, was created by me for fun, not profit; any copyright violation is unintentional.
Kate-chan 91's tidbits (A/N): I'm back with my third Wallace and Gromit fanfic, y'all! The idea actually came up to me pretty recently, but I believe with a firm mind and much effort, y'all be in for a treat. After all, isn't the third time the charm? (It's my lucky number as I'm always number three in whatever I do.)
In case you're wondering, yes, I'll still throw toast to my readers. However, like the flame policy at my profile says, constructive flames and positive reviews will be the only ones accepted.
Enjoy!
Chapter One: Grand Opening
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"Gromit, lad!" Wallace yelled to his dog as he stood near the front door. "Do try to hurry up! We need to get to the next plane to America as soon as possible!"
In response, Gromit shuffled down the stairs with the suitcase that would supply him for the next several days or so; lacking a mouth, he carried it around his left front leg. When he arrived at the front door, the mute dog and his master got into the beaten up A35 and (with Wallace at the wheel for obvious law related reasons) drove to the nearest airport.
After having their luggage checked once they got there, Wallace and Gromit were on their way to purchase their tickets to New York City, where they would buy two to tickets to Milwaukee in order to attend the opening of Wensleydale's American factory. Before they could do that, however, they were stopped by a security guard.
"HEY YOU! THE ONE WITH THE MUTT!" The guard called to them.
"Yes, sir?" Wallace asked.
"All dogs are supposed to be caged, mister!"
"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't know that! Hold on for a second…"
The inventor then took out a little metal cube with a plastic handle and red button on the top.
"Now, what the-"
"It's a compact carrying case I made in case something like this happened! Observe!"
Wallace followed through by pressing the red button. Almost instantaneously, the metal box expanded into a pet carrying case that was big enough for Gromit to get in. Eyes, widened, jaw dropping, the security guard gawked as he witnessed the duo simply walked or was carried away from the scene as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
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Hours later, Wallace and Gromit had finally reached the city that held their final destination. As it soon turned out, although he packed clothes, a disposable camera and crackers in the case that free cheese samples were offered, Wallace forgot to stuff one vital item into his suitcase: a map.
"Oh dear, Gromit!" He said upon realizing his error. "We forgot the map! How are we going to get to the factory now?"
After a brief period of thinking and then asking people directions to Wensleydale Inc. USA, the man and dog realized that all of the directions they were given involved using a car. Not wanting to risk being run over as they crossed the busy streets, Wallace decided that they would go by taxi.
But first they had to find one.
Wallace and the still caged Gromit stood on the sidewalk for the good half of ten minutes simply waiting for a taxi to drive by. Following that period, Gromit got really bored, knitted a sweater for a few minutes, and then stared at a street sign not too far away from Wallace and him. Gromit just knew something would happen if they didn't move on soon…
"Um, sir…" A teenage boy with a blue and red skateboard said.
"What is it, young lad?" Wallace responded with.
The boy said, "Can't you read?"
"Of course I can!" Wallace responded. "Why did you ask?"
"Oh, let me think—the sign right next to you? Geez, even I follow that stupid sign…"
Wallace turned around and read the sign. In bold red letters, it read: NO LOITERING.
"Lummy day…" Wallace muttered.
Suddenly, Wallace realized the boy could've helped Gromit and him find the cheese factory.
"Oh, wait! Excuse… me…"
It was too late by then: the boy was skateboarding down the sidewalk by the time the inventor tried to ask him his question.
"No, wait—COME BACK!" Wallace cried. Picking up Gromit's cage, he started chasing after the boy, ignoring every traffic sign. After almost being run over by a car, he took a deep breath, looked up, and saw a big factory with smoke stakes. Among with him, there was a throng of people wearing "I HEART WENSLEYDALE" T-shirts and buttons.
"Gromit…" Wallace said with a twinkle in his eye. "We're here!"
The factory was indeed a very large, brick and cement building, even for a cheese factory. About four stories tall, the factory stood on about six acres. Outside was a welcome sign, the flags of the United Kingdom, the United States, and the state of Wisconsin, and a spacious parking lot (complete with a courtyard).
And that courtyard and parking lot were just where the large crowd eagerly awaited the opening of the factory.
"SAMPLES!" A uniformed man yelled. "Get your free samples!"
Wallace immediately fished out the camera and crackers from his suitcase, saying, "Did you hear that, Gromit? FREE SAMPLES! Can this day get any better?"
As the inventor munched on cheese and crackers and Gromit was fed the same snack, a man in a business suit walked onto a wooden platform in front of the factory. He grabbed a microphone, tested it, and said:
"Attention, attention, everyone! We are about to open the American factory for Wensleydale. Now unlike most openings, we- the company president and I- decided that one of you lucky fans of our delicious cheese will open the doors… with this key!"
Everyone oohed and aahed as they stared vigilantly at the miniscule key in his right hand. It seemed like bliss to them.
"To do this," he continued, "we held a contest where we tested your knowledge of Wensleydale and cheese overall. Three people answered every single question correctly. Of these three, the selected winner is…"
Everyone held their breath. He opened the envelope, yelling:
"MISTER WALLACE PARK OF LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND!"
While everyone else cheered on, a thrilled Wallace and an accompanying Gromit went up to the platform to retrieve the key. Little did they know that for a certain man, a lightbulb above his head lit up; he had something in mind for the duo—something really big.
End of Chapter One
A/N: Before I go, I have three things to say. Number one, I have no idea when W&G actually takes place. It's so "weird and messed up" with all the components and the whatnot that it makes it kinda hard to really pinpoint it. I'm using the late eighties for this one since the first was created at that time, though. If anyone knows when it takes place, please PM me!
Also, I'm just guessing on Wallace's last name and location. I know that it takes place in Northern England, but since in A Grand Day Out, he tells Gromit to think about "Lancashire Hotpot", so I'm just using that for this time being.
Last but not least, I know that Wensleydale is a real company. Heck, I even know that Wallace and Gromit unintentionally saved the business several years ago. For this, however, I'm pretending that it has become a big national business and that it's going global. Then again, since Wensleydale is not mentioned that much in the series (even though it is indeed Wallace's favorite cheese), I guess it's reasonable to do this for now.
The next chapter's coming up soon, but until then, may good luck take you by the hand!
Ja Ne!
Kate-chan 91